Due to the fast development in 3D technology during recent decades, many approaches in 3D representation technologies have been proposed worldwide. In order to get an accurate information to render a 3D representation, more data need to be recorded compared to normal video sequence. In this case, how to find an efficient way to transmit the 3D representation data becomes an important part in the whole 3D representation technology. Recent years, many coding schemes based on the principle of encoding the depth have been proposed. Compared to the traditional multiview coding schemes, those new proposed schemes can achieve higher compression efficiency. Due to the development of depth capturing technology, the accuracy and quality of the reconstructed depth image also get improved. In this thesis we propose an efficient depth data compression scheme for 3D images. Our proposed depth data compression scheme is platelet based coding using Lagrangian optimization, quadtree decomposition and quadratic curve fitting. We study and improve the original platelet based coding scheme and achieve a compression improvement of 1-2 dB compared to the original platelet based scheme. The experimental results illustrate the improvement provided by our scheme. The quality of the reconstructed results of our proposed curve fitting based platelet coding scheme are better than that of the original scheme.

The standard practice of spectroscopic data reduction is generally to fit data to level energy expansions in terms of the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers. However, the utility of such expressions is limited because they extrapolate poorly and they need very large sets of parameters, many of which have no independent physical significance. One method of addressing these problems is to fit the spectroscopic data directly to analytical potential energy functions incorporating the natural physical behaviour of the molecule in question. Although there have been a number of successful applications of this approach, there are still certain problems associated with the types of potential forms being used. This thesis will explore some of these problems and determine how effective the potential forms being used are for a number of specific cases.

This thesis is a qualitative study of firefighters, and focuses on how firefighters, a predominantly male, white and able-bodied group with popular public support, form tight knit teams on and off the fireground, and their motivations for so doing. It is also a study of gender, which aims to describe and deconstruct masculinity. In part the thesis was undertaken with a view to assisting the fire service (specifically the few women who are firefighters) with its difficulties in relation to equal opportunities. One understanding the thesis provides is that firefighters bond around a common professional ethos: to provide an efficient service to help the public. To achieve this, firefighters form informal hierarchies through which they create protocols for firefighting, thus setting the standards for what comprises a ‘good firefighter’: a label firefighters test themselves against when they ‘get in’ to fight a fire. However, before firefighters can achieve this they must first access the skills of firefighting (which experienced firefighters are pleased to hand on), but only after a newcomer ‘fits in’ with the agendas of the informal hierarchy, some of which have little to do with firefighting. However, there is a second view, and this suggests that ‘fitting in’ and ‘getting in’ to pass the test of being seen as a ‘good firefighter’ also coincides with the way firefighters form their masculinity. This then provides a second common cause amongst firefighters, and so might explain why firefighters gather so successfully under the umbrella of their union to resist their officers’ attempts to deskill and cut the fire service. Cuts would limit firefighters’ ability both to fight fires as they currently do and to pass the test of being a ‘good firefighter’. Thus blocking a third central but unacknowledged element: that of masculinity. This analysis involves a discussion of class, and recognition that antagonistic relations between officers and firefighters are not only economic, but are also about petty dividends involving power, status and gender construction. The conclusion provides a comprehensive overview to suggest that firefighters form their masculinity by acting at work in the way they subjectively judge that they are seen, by themselves, their peer group and the public. In so doing, they set themselves apart from the ‘others’ who cannot meet their expectations. It is these ‘special people’, as identified by both firefighters and others that this thesis has studied, a group of ‘special’ men and women.

Denna studie är ett kandidatarbete inom området designteknik. Studien undersöker olika jeansgrenars form och mått, och hur detta påverkar komfort och visuell passform vid användning. Grunden till studien ligger i en problematik som upptäckts på ett svenskt modeföretag. Företagets jeansbyxa är problematisk då veck och dragningar bildas, speciellt kring grensömmen fram, vilket varken är smickrande eller komfortabelt för användaren. Studien undersöker och jämför företagets, marknadens och litteraturens jeansgrenar. Detta för att studera vilka samband som finns på detta inte så utforskande område. Studiens syfte är att analysera och jämföra passform, mått och konstruktion på jeansgrenar från olika grupper. Metoder som används är avprovning på provmodell, digitalisering av konstruktioner, mätning av plagg samt visuell jämförelse av grenkonstruktioner. Jeansens komfort och visuella passform bedöms vid avprovning och med hjälp av en passformsmatris kartläggs vilka jeansbyxor som visar bäst resultat. Slutligen verifieras studien genom att applicera resultatet av studien på företagets befintliga jeansbyxa. Studiens resultat visar på god passform vid omplacering av form i grensöm samt på samband mellan god passform och grenspetsens vinkel.

Objective: The appropriate application of audiological measures during paediatric hearing aid (HA) fitting ensures the fitting is effective and provides speech audibility across the frequency range. Audiological assessment may include both behavioural and objective measures, such as auditory brainstem response (ABR) and auditory steady-state response (ASSR). ABR and ASSR measures however do not have a 1:1 correlation with behavioural measures, and correction values need to be applied to estimate behavioural thresholds prior to HA fitting. No study has previously described how South African audiologists are utilising ABR and ASSR results during paediatric HA fitting. This study aimed to describe the current South African audiological clinical practice for paediatric HA fitting, with specific reference to the application of ABR and ASSR measures. Design: The study employed a quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional survey research design. Study sample: Thirty-four personal interviews with audiologists were completed, seven within the private health sector and 27 within the public health sector. Results: Results indicated that limited departmental protocols exist and adherence to available protocols was questioned. There was a lack of consensus regarding the application of correction values to ABR and ASSR measures for HA fitting and the values utilised often differed significantly from recommended guidelines. There appeared to be an over-reliance on electrophysiological measures for paediatric audiological assessment, as well as a lack of adherence to recommended age-appropriate assessment guidelines. Conclusion: Findings suggest the need for promoting improved clinical practice and knowledge within the area of paediatric audiology in South Africa. The need for the development of nationally-agreed guidelines was highlighted.

Symbicort Turbuhaler is a medical device produced by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for the treatment of asthma and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The delivery reliability of the product is dependent on the performance of the whole supply chain and as part of the chain the results from the department, Quality Control (QC), are mandatory to release the produced batches to the market. The performance of QC is thus an important part of the supply chain. In order to reduce the risk of supply problems and market shortage, it is very important to investigate whether the performance of QC can be improved. The purpose of the thesis is to provide AstraZeneca with scientifically based data to identify sensitive parameters and readjust work procedures in order to improve the performance of QC. The goal of this thesis is to map out the flow of the QC Symbicort Turbuhaler operation and construct a model of it. The model is intended to be used to simulate and optimize different parameters, such as the inflow of batch samples, the utilization of the instrumentation and staff workload. QC is modelled in a simulation software. The model is used to simulate and optimize different scenarios following a discrete event simulation and an optimization technique based on evolution strategies. By reducing the number of analytical robots from 14 to 10, it is possible to maintain existing average lead time. Through a reduction, the utilization of the robots increases, simultaneously the workload decreases for some of the staff. However, it is not possible to extend the durability of the system suitability test (SST), and still achieve existing average lead time. From the investigation of different parameters, it is found that, an added laboratory engineer at the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) station has the best outcome on lead time and overall equipment effectiveness. However, a reduced laboratory engineer at the Minispice robots has the worst outcome. With the resources available today the lead times cannot be maintained in the long run, if the inflow is of 35 batch samples a week or more. By adding a laboratory engineer at the HPLC station and by using a SST with durability of 48 hours, the best outcome in terms of average lead time and number of batch samples with a lead time less than 10 days is received. / Symbicort Turbuhaler är en medicinsk enhet som tillverkas av läkemedelsföretaget AstraZeneca för behandling av astma och symptomen för kronisk obstruktiv lungsjukdom. Leveranssäkerheten för produkten är beroende av hela försörjningskedjans prestanda och som en del utav kedjan är resultaten från kvalitetskontrollen (QC) obligatoriska för att släppa en batch av produkten till marknaden. QCs prestanda är därför en viktig del av försörjningskedjan. För att minska risken för leveransproblem och produktbrist på marknaden är det viktigt att undersöka huruvida prestandan hos QC kan förbättras. Syftet med arbetet är att ge AstraZeneca vetenskapligt baserat data för att identifiera känsliga parametrar och justera arbetssätt för att förbättra prestandan hos QC. Målet med detta arbete är att kartlägga flödet av QC Symbicort Turbuhaler och konstruera en modell utifrån det flödet. Modellen är avsedd för att simulera och optimera olika parametrar, såsom inflödet av batchprover, utnyttjande av instrumentering och arbetsbelastning av personal. Genom att minska antalet analytiska robotar från 14 till 10, är det möjligt att bibehålla befintlig genomsnittlig ledtid. Genom denna minskning ökar utnyttjandet av robotarna, samtidigt som arbetsbelastningen minskar för en del av bemanningen. Det är inte möjligt att förlänga hållbarheterna på robotarnas systemtest (SST) och fortfarande uppnå befintlig genomsnittlig ledtid. Vid undersökning av olika parametrar indikerar resultatet att en ytterligare laboratorieingenjör vid högpresterande vätskekromatografi-stationen (HPLC) har den bästa effekten på ledtid och produktionseffektivitet. En laboratorieingenjör som reduceras från Minispice-robotarna har däremot den värsta effekten. Med de resurser som finns tillgängliga idag kan ledtiderna inte bibehållas långsiktigt om inflödet är 35 batchprover per vecka eller mer. Genom att addera en laboratorieingenjör vid HPLC-stationen och användaen SST med en hållbarhet på 48 timmar, erhålls det bästa resultatet i termer av genomsnittlig ledtid och antal batchprover som har en individuell ledtid på mindre än 10 dagar.

Cheng, Yuk Lap. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-67). / Abstracts in English and Chinese; appendix and questionnaire also in Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.I / ABSTRACT --- p.II / TABLE OF CONTENT --- p.V / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.VII / LIST OF TABLES --- p.VIII / Chapter I --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Background --- p.1 / Statement of Problem --- p.3 / Hypothesis --- p.3 / Significance of Study --- p.4 / Theoretical Contribution --- p.4 / Practical Contribution --- p.4 / Operational Definition --- p.5 / Chapter II --- REVIEW OF LITERATURE --- p.7 / Problem of poor fitting --- p.7 / Common foot problem --- p.10 / Definition of fit --- p.11 / Recommendation of shoe fit --- p.13 / Sizing --- p.13 / Pressure distribution --- p.14 / Subjective fit --- p.15 / Footwear Comfort --- p.15 / Chapter III --- METHODOLOGY --- p.18 / Design --- p.18 / Subject --- p.18 / Instrumentation --- p.18 / Fit questionnaire --- p.18 / Foot scanner --- p.19 / Pressure sensors --- p.19 / Running shoes --- p.20 / Shoe lasts --- p.20 / Procedure --- p.21 / Foot scanning --- p.22 / Fit questionnaire --- p.24 / Set up --- p.24 / Reliability test --- p.25 / Pressure measurement --- p.25 / Data Reduction --- p.29 / Foot scanning --- p.29 / Fit questionnaire --- p.29 / Video --- p.29 / Pressure distribution --- p.30 / Data Analysis --- p.30 / Chapter IV --- RESULT --- p.32 / Subject Detail --- p.32 / Questionnaire --- p.32 / Fit Rating --- p.37 / Size Difference --- p.39 / Pressure Distribution --- p.43 / Regression --- p.46 / Chapter V --- DISCUSSION --- p.52 / Subjective fit rating --- p.52 / Reliability of the fit questionnaire --- p.52 / Fit rating --- p.53 / Size --- p.54 / Foot shape --- p.54 / Dimensional Difference --- p.54 / Correlation with subjective fit --- p.55 / Pressure --- p.58 / Dimensional Difference and Pressure --- p.59 / Subjective fit and objective measures --- p.60 / Limitation --- p.61 / Future Direction --- p.62 / Chapter VI --- CONCLUSION --- p.63 / Chapter VII --- REFERENCE --- p.64 / APPENDIX / Appendix A -Explanation of study --- p.68 / Appendix B - Informed consent --- p.69 / Appendix C - Footwear fit questionnaire --- p.70 / Appendix D -Explanations of fit questionnaire --- p.72 / Appendix E - Anthropometric information of the subjects --- p.73 / Appendix F - Fit rating --- p.74 / Appendix G - Foot dimensions of the subjects --- p.89 / Appendix H - Foot - last size difference of each subject --- p.90 / Appendix I - Guilford's suggested interpretation for value of r --- p.92

Improved numerical reservoir models are constructed when all available diverse data sources are accounted for to the maximum extent possible. Integrating various diverse data is not a simple problem because data show different precision and relevance to the primary variables being modeled, nonlinear relations and different qualities. Previous approaches rely on a strong Gaussian assumption or the combination of the source-specific probabilities that are individually calibrated from each data source. This dissertation develops different approaches to integrate diverse earth science data. First approach is based on combining probability. Each of diverse data is calibrated to generate individual conditional probabilities, and they are combined by a combination model. Some existing models are reviewed and a combination model is proposed with a new weighting scheme. Weakness of the probability combination schemes (PCS) is addressed. Alternative to the PCS, this dissertation develops a multivariate analysis technique. The method models the multivariate distributions without a parametric distribution assumption and without ad-hoc probability combination procedures. The method accounts for nonlinear features and different types of the data. Once the multivariate distribution is modeled, the marginal distribution constraints are evaluated. A sequential iteration algorithm is proposed for the evaluation. The algorithm compares the extracted marginal distributions from the modeled multivariate distribution with the known marginal distributions and corrects the multivariate distribution. Ultimately, the corrected distribution satisfies all axioms of probability distribution functions as well as the complex features among the given data. The methodology is applied to several applications including: (1) integration of continuous data for a categorical attribute modeling, (2) integration of continuous and a discrete geologic map for categorical attribute modeling, (3) integration of continuous data for a continuous attribute modeling. Results are evaluated based on the defined criteria such as the fairness of the estimated probability or probability distribution and reasonable reproduction of input statistics. / Mining Engineering

Due to the fast development in 3D technology during recent decades, many approaches in 3D representation technologies have been proposed worldwide. In order to get an accurate information to render a 3D representation, more data need to be recorded compared to normal video sequence. In this case, how to find an efficient way to transmit the 3D representation data becomes an important part in the whole 3D representation technology. Recent years, many coding schemes based on the principle of encoding the depth have been proposed. Compared to the traditional multiview coding schemes, those new proposed schemes can achieve higher compression efficiency. Due to the development of depth capturing technology, the accuracy and quality of the reconstructed depth image also get improved. In this thesis we propose an efficient depth data compression scheme for 3D images. Our proposed depth data compression scheme is platelet based coding using Lagrangian optimization, quadtree decomposition and quadratic curve fitting. We study and improve the original platelet based coding scheme and achieve a compression improvement of 1-2 dB compared to the original platelet based scheme. The experimental results illustrate the improvement provided by our scheme. The quality of the reconstructed results of our proposed curve fitting based platelet coding scheme are better than that of the original scheme.

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